Learning from Other Drivers
The Quest for Christian Men
Do you know how to reach, keep and grow men in your church? Quest is a ministry led by Rev. Rob Renfroe that engages hundreds of men every year at TWUMC. Divided into fall and spring semesters, each with a theme, Quest can help you reach men in your church and community.
Rob Renfroe - Pastor of Discipleship, TWUMC
Renewing the Hearts of Women
Through Bible studies, accountability groups and ministries such as Renew and Come to the Water, Deb Alexander has created a community of faithful Christian women. Come learn how to build a women’s ministry that grows relationships, prayer, leadership and service.
Deb Alexander - Director of Women's Ministries, TWUMC
Intelligent Infrastructure
How does your church look behind the scenes? From the organization of staff to financial processes, church in the back office is as important as church in the front office. This workshop focuses on the inside structure of church and how intentionality can make a difference.
Jim Neikirk - Director of Operations, TWUMC
Missions with Passion and Purpose
Every Christian who has been in mission knows the rule of “double impact.” Mission impacts the world. Mission also impacts the believer in the local church. Part of Smart Growth is being focused on the transformation of the world in mission, and understanding the renewal mission brings upon the local church. Learn how to change the life of your church by changing the world.
John Hull - Pastor of Missions, TWUMC
Caring for Your Congregation
Our church cares! This is the atmosphere that every member and leader wants for their church—the feeling of compassion and concern for all. As churches grow, however, the challenge to provide quality care grows. This workshop focuses on how to team lay people with pastors to minister to families in need.
Stew Grant - Pastor of Caring Ministries, TWUMC
Congregational Connections for Greater Involvement and Impact
People visit, they join—then what? Many churches struggle to match passion, gifts and finding a ministry to utilize those gifts for God. Through “Connection Point,” TWUMC has put in place a comprehensive way of helping people find their place in the body of Christ. Great people and great ministries go hand in hand. Discover how to make that connection in this workshop.
Jessica LaGrone - Pastor of Connecting Ministries, TWUMC
Senior Pastor Q&A
With almost 30 years of experience in one church, Ed Robb is familiar with churches from the new church start to the still-growing large membership congregation. Come hear Dr. Robb share his insights into the local church in an informal setting shaped by your questions.
Ed Robb - Senior Pastor, TWUMC
Making Music Changes Without Skipping a Beat
The Woodlands United Methodist Church has nearly 20 choirs and musical groups and several styles of worship services. Can different music formats be mixed? What’s the best way to integrate ensembles, instrumental groups and other performance choices? Where can you find music resources to support a variety of music styles and formats? Discover answers to these questions, as well as how to use seasonal changes and special tributes to enliven your repertoire.
Louise Kramer - Director of Music Ministries, TWUMC
Prayer at the Heart of Church
Ken Werlein is the founding pastor of one of Houston’s fastest growing United Methodist churches. The church is uniquely focused on prayer as a strategic part of the church’s growth. Come hear what Ken has to teach all church leaders about incorporating prayer into the heart of your church.
Ken Werlein - Senior Pastor, Faithbridge UMC
Seniors
TWUMC has a seniors ministry with hundreds of seniors participating in Sunday School classes, mission trips, social outings and other activities. Craft Circle, a TWUMC ministry with large numbers of senior women, makes crafts throughout the year and auctions them for missions. Last year, Craft Circle raised over $200,000 for mission efforts!
Mark Lewis - Pastor to Senior Adults, TWUMC
Creating Community through Sunday School and Small Groups
John Wesley said, “every Christian needs shoulder to shoulder, face to face, and heart to heart time with other believers.” Worship is the shoulder to shoulder; small groups are the other two. Small groups provide intimacy and depth while often appealing to inexperienced Christians. Come and encounter the power of small groups and how they can transform your church.
Luis Palomo - Pastor of Community Life at The Loft, TWUMC
The Play’s The Thing
Widely available, seldom used. In addition to the revolutions occurring in Christian music and publishing, drama is a remarkable tool for vibrant worship for which many resources are available. Whether on Broadway or Main Street, your church can bring drama into worship and use it to open the heart of your congregation.
Dori Barber - Drama, The Loft
Loft Worship
What is emerging church and what is it teaching us? The Loft is an experiment by TWUMC to see if an alternative worship experience can reach a more “disconnected from church” crowd. The answer? It can. The Loft uses emerging church strategies to reach the disconnected. Come discover how they do it in this session.
Andy Nixon - Lead Pastor at The Loft, TWUMC
Lights, Camera, Worship
As Christians, we own the most dramatic story ever experienced—the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. While not wanting to be a “show,” the intelligent use of video, lights and staging enhances worship and allows for a more powerful presentation of the gospel message. Learn what your church can do in this area today.
John Hines - Director of Media, TWUMC
Communicating to the Crowd
Connecting matters. There is a world out there, and through strategic use of communication strategies, your church can take its message to the masses. In this workshop, the keys to successful marketing are discussed. Local churches must effectively use public relations strategies to reach beyond their church walls to position themselves in their communities and beyond.
Lorna Acuña - Communications Director, TWUMC
Kids Need Christ
The future Christians are in the church now, and shaping kids is among the highest priorities of any smart church. From traditional Sunday School environments to children’s retreats and small group experiences, learn how effective children’s ministry builds the Christians of tomorrow.
Sheryl Steely - Director of Children’s Ministries, TWUMC
From the Neighborhood Park to the Church
Ever seen the variety of children and youth playing at a neighborhood park? Do those children attend your local church? From sand volleyball to activities for special needs children, you can utilize events and sports to bring children and their families into the church. Learn how to make the ball field and local park the evangelical front line of your church.
Sheryl Steely - Director of Children's Ministries, TWUMC
Laura Hollis - Associate Director of Recreational Ministries, TWUMC
Debbie Glass - Special Blessings Children's Coordinator, TWUMC
A Crowded (Youth) House
Teens need Jesus and each other. From musical interests to cultural influences, the time spent as a young adult is often crucial to the shaping of faith for their future—and yet traditional church tactics often come up short. A veteran of youth ministry, Bob Swan has been leading youth ministries at TWUMC for over 15 years. Learn how, through this workshop, to reach today’s youth through powerful and smart student ministry.
Bob Swan - Director of Student Ministry, TWUMC
New Realities: The Changing Face of Finances in the Local Church
As baby boomers and the younger generations begin to comprise the larger portion of the constituency of local churches, leaders will face new realities in order to provide adequate resources for growing ministries. Jim Sheppard of Generis has spent a lot of time in churches helping leaders deal with these challenges. Join in an interactive session where attendees will have ample opportunity to ask questions. The focus of this session is on the challenges facing church leaders and solutions that are proven and practical.
Jim Sheppard - CEO Generis
Unlearning Church
When the church wants to go in a new direction, it needs to unlearn as much as it wants to learn new. Mike Slaughter is a leader in innovating and also in unlearning, which allows room for the church to be an entrepreneur.
Mike Slaughter - Lead Pastor, Ginghamsburg Church
Top 10 Characteristics of an E.P.I.C. Church
Experiential. Participatory. Image. Connecting. Leonard Sweet looks at churches and corporations that are connecting with the culture, and in this workshop, explores the top 10 attributes of churches that fit this model. Come be challenged by what Len has to say.
Leonard Sweet - Professor, Drew Theological School